ICIS - Search Articles by Date : May 16 2011 - May 22 2011

Map: Middle East cracker projects
Several major olefins projects are scheduled to start up in the region over the next few years KUWAIT AL-ZOUR Kuwait's Petrochemical.... more
(16 May 2011 00:00)

Global petrochemicals could be ready to cycle down
  There could be some austere times ahead for the global petrochemical industry, as belts tighten around the world .... more
(16 May 2011 00:00)

News Focus: Helsinki Chemicals Forum to address Reach rules and bio-economy
This year's Helsinki Chemicals Forum will give an update on Reach and growing opportunities in the bio-economy Europe's Reach chemical legislation.... more
(16 May 2011 00:00)

Industries Qatar sets targets for petrochemical unit Qapco
Industries Qatar projects a 28% increase in petrochemical sales and profits by 2015 State-operated conglomerate Industries Qatar , the parent.... more
(16 May 2011 00:00)

Mideast unrest unlikely to slow petchem investment
PIC CREDIT: Rex Features Political upheaval in the Middle East has had little effect on petrochemical production, but other factors could come into.... more
(16 May 2011 00:00)

New projects and permanent plant shutdowns: April 27-May 6, 2011
NEW PROJECTS AND PERMANENT PLANT shutdowns april 27-may 6, 2011 NEW PROJECTS Company Location .... more
(16 May 2011 00:00)

Key chemical prices
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(16 May 2011 00:00)

This week's world news
RISING MISSISSIPPI RIVER THREATENS CHEM PLANTS In the US, the rising Mississippi river continued to threaten chemical operations in Louisiana,.... more
(16 May 2011 00:00)

What's on: ICIS enhances xylenes reports
ICIS enhances xylenes reports The premium/discount assessment for spot PX trades executed on the 50% Asia Contract Price (+50% spot average of.... more
(16 May 2011 00:00)

Commentary: Crude oil volatility could signal reversal for commodity chemicals
This global economic recovery has very much been shaped by volatility. Now, major swings in crude oil prices after a long uptrend could signal a.... more
(16 May 2011 00:00)

Commentary: Let's avoid the next chemicals downturn
Let's avoid the next chemicals downturn Downcycles occur with depressing regularity in the petrochemicals industry. They are often driven by too.... more
(16 May 2011 00:00)

US chemical profile: PTA
USES Nearly all the output of purified terephthalic acid (PTA) is consumed in the production of polyester, including polyester fiber,.... more
(16 May 2011 00:00)

Projects: DSM to build joint-venture bio-succinic acid plant in Italy
  BioAmber produces biosuccinic acid in Pomacle, France Joint venture plant with Roquette will be located in Italy and.... more
(16 May 2011 00:00)

Petrochemicals: Ethylene margins soar on naphtha collapse
margins regan hartnell london more
(16 May 2011 00:00)

Petrochemicals news in brief
BASF EXPECTS STRONG CRACKER MARGINS IN Q2 German major BASF has said it is expecting a strong, cracker-led ­business environment in the second.... more
(16 May 2011 00:00)

Petrochemicals: US propylene prices will continue to rise – consultant
Alternative propylene production is problematic and higher ethane usage will persist Record US propylene (C3) prices are likely to increase.... more
(16 May 2011 00:00)

Petrochemicals: OX tightens in Asia thanks to production cutbacks
Major orthoxylene suppliers reduce rates in midst of escalating feedstock costs Operating rates are to be reduced at Asian orthoxylene (OX).... more
(16 May 2011 00:00)

Petrochemicals: Toluene sinks to 15-month low in east China
For the first time since January 2010, toluene inventories in eastern China's shore tanks have ebbed below 100,000 tonnes. Traders have.... more
(16 May 2011 00:00)

Polymers news in brief
COLOMBIAN PVC UP ON SNUG SUPPLY In Colombia, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) prices rose $70-100/tonne (€48-69/tonne) on the back of tight supply and.... more
(16 May 2011 00:00)

Polymers: EPS prices fall in line with styrene
Prices fall on lower feedstock costs, while Total Petrochemicals builds next generation capacity Expandable polystyrene (EPS) prices in Europe.... more
(16 May 2011 00:00)

Polymers: PET prices down in Europe but up in the US
    Weaker feedstock prices and competitive imports drive Europe PET down while strong feedstock drives US PET up.... more
(16 May 2011 00:00)

Chemical market trends: Hikes heard for many spot and contract prices
Initial settlements for US May propylene contracts have been agreed up by 11% - 9.50 cents/lb ($209/tonne) - from April's record settlement..... more
(16 May 2011 00:00)

Feedstocks news in brief
SHALE GAS A GAME-CHANGER FOR US.... Shale gas development represents a game-changing feedstock breakthrough for the US petrochemicals sector,.... more
(16 May 2011 00:00)

Energy and feedstocks: Naphtha prices remain volatile as crude oil swings
US naphtha demand surges as a result of a strong pull from blenders for aromatics Asian naphtha prices are expected to remain volatile, in.... more
(16 May 2011 00:00)

Intermediates: China's PA market out of balance
Producers unable to pass along increases in feedstock costs amid weak demand China's phthalic anhydride (PA) prices show signs of softening.... more
(16 May 2011 00:00)

Intermediates: Turnarounds tighten EU perc supply
More than one-quarter of the region's perchloroethylene production capacity will be off line until mid-June The European perchloroethylene.... more
(16 May 2011 00:00)

Intermediates news in brief
US MAY BUTAC UP ON C3 US butyl acetate (butac) jumped about 4 cents/lb ($88/tonne, €59/tonne) across all ranges as the market appeared to accept.... more
(16 May 2011 00:00)

Inorganics: US chlor-alkali price hikes continue
US producers continue to seek price increases as global caustic soda supply tightens At least five major US chlor-alkali producers have.... more
(16 May 2011 00:00)

Inorganics: US caustic soda producers braces for shipping woes
Rising Mississippi water levels are causing delivery disruptions and backlogs for US caustic soda suppliers The US Gulf caustic soda market is.... more
(16 May 2011 00:00)

Inorganics news in brief
KRONOS EXPECTS TIO2 PRICE RISE TO CONTINUE US titanium dioxide (TiO2 ) producer Kronos expects its North American TiO2 selling prices to continue.... more
(16 May 2011 00:00)

Market intelligence: BASF feels optimistic for 2011
  BASF made a lot of money in the first quarter   Rex Features After a powerful performance in the first.... more
(16 May 2011 00:00)

Think tank: Is bio-based BDO for real?
Debate rages about the future of bio-BDO One of the biggest questions coming out of the NPRA... more
(16 May 2011 00:00)

Commentary: US to help open up Poland's shale gas
Imagine how the chemical industry in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) could be transformed if Poland managed to access the massive shale gas.... more
(21 May 2011 00:00)

Commentary: Chemical IPO market in bloom
   Indonesian "corpse flower" blooms with IPS market Market conditions are ripe for chemical companies to.... more
(21 May 2011 00:00)

News Focus: China power shortage hits petrochemicals
 China's power shortage is hitting the petrochemical sector hard Power constraints in the world's economic growth engine.... more
(21 May 2011 10:25)

European chemical profile: Polycarbonate
USES Polycarbonate (PC) resins are tough thermoplastics with uses in optical media, the electrical, electronic and automotive industries and in.... more
(21 May 2011 10:52)

BASF goes for Asia growth but warns on overcapacity
Company to invest €2.3bn in Asia, but says a downcycle awaits if industry over-expands German chemical giant BASF has ­ambitious growth.... more
(21 May 2011 10:52)

Quiet China polyolefins market points to lower demand
  Calm tides for the Chinese polyolefins market may be a sign of lost pricing power Low volumes and flat pricing for.... more
(21 May 2011 10:52)

VIDEO - ICIS Asia Lunchtime Bulletin 16 May 2011
Here is the lunchtime bulletin for Asia on Monday 16 May from ICIS . The Lunchtime Bulletin brings you all the latest chemicals and market news.... more
(16 May 2011 05:00)

VIDEO - ICIS Europe Lunchtime Bulletin 16 May 2011
  Here is the lunchtime bulletin for Europe on Monday 16 May from ICIS. The Lunchtime Bulletin brings you all the latest.... more
(16 May 2011 12:45)

VIDEO - ICIS Asia Lunchtime Bulletin 17 May 2011
Here is the lunchtime bulletin for Asia on Tuesday 17 May from ICIS . The Lunchtime Bulletin brings you all the latest.... more
(17 May 2011 06:00)

VIDEO - ICIS Europe Lunchtime Bulletin 17 May 2011
  Here is the lunchtime bulletin for Europe on Tuesday 17 May from ICIS. The Lunchtime Bulletin brings you all the latest.... more
(17 May 2011 12:33)

VIDEO - ICIS Asia Lunchtime Bulletin 18 May 2011
Here is the lunchtime bulletin for Asia on Wednesday 18 May from ICIS . The Lunchtime Bulletin brings you all the latest chemicals and market.... more
(18 May 2011 05:00)

VIDEO - ICIS Europe Lunchtime Bulletin 18 May 2011
Here is the lunchtime bulletin for Europe on Wednesday 18 May from ICIS. The Lunchtime Bulletin brings you all the latest chemicals and.... more
(18 May 2011 13:35)

VIDEO – ICIS Americas Lunchtime Bulletin 18 May 2011
Here is the lunchtime bulletin for the Americas on Wednesday from ICIS . The Lunchtime Bulletin brings you all the latest.... more
(18 May 2011 18:35)

ICIS Chemical Business podcast May 18, 2011
FEED ICIS Chemical Business podcast May 18, 2011   The issue of ICIS Chemical Business for the week of May 16, 2011, has a cover.... more
(18 May 2011 20:05)

VIDEO - ICIS Asia Lunchtime Bulletin 19 May 2011
Here is the lunchtime bulletin for Asia on Thursday 19 May from ICIS . The Lunchtime Bulletin brings you all the latest chemicals and market.... more
(19 May 2011 05:00)

VIDEO - ICIS Europe Lunchtime Bulletin 19 May 2011
Here is the lunchtime bulletin for Europe on Thursday 19 May from ICIS. The Lunchtime Bulletin brings you all the latest.... more
(19 May 2011 13:20)

VIDEO - ICIS Asia Lunchtime Bulletin 20 May 2011
Here is the lunchtime bulletin for Asia on Friday 20 May from ICIS . The Lunchtime Bulletin brings you all the latest chemicals and market news.... more
(20 May 2011 05:00)

VIDEO - ICIS Europe Lunchtime Bulletin 20 May 2011
Here is the lunchtime bulletin for Europe on Friday 20 May from ICIS. The Lunchtime Bulletin brings you all the latest chemicals and.... more
(20 May 2011 13:44)